Here’s the truth. The big bad world is scary as hell. Getting out of the hospital was thrilling and exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I was almost salivating over the idea of a clean slate. Who doesn’t love the chance to start over? Most people don’t get to do it very often, […]

I got out. It must have been the good behaviour. After 9 weeks of rehabilitation and almost 15 weeks of hospitals since my Spinal Cord Injury, some innocent soul in the NHS decided it was safe to unleash me onto the streets of London – and hopefully soon the backroads of Leitrim. Watch out world. […]

I’ve been humming the same musical theatre song for the past week. “I’m through accepting limits, ’cause someone says they’re so.” The lyrics go around and around in my head. If you painted me green and called me Elphaba, I’d be ready for my West End debut in ‘Wicked’. It’s all because I’ve been defying […]

It happened in slow motion. Once I felt myself stumble, I moved my arms to try and rebalance but the elbow crutches restricted my movement. I aimed for the bed, but I was too far away and knew I wouldn’t make it. So I did the only thing that made sense. I called for help […]

Girls day was long overdue and came at just the right time. Things on the ward were becoming more and more dramatic and difficult. Personalities were clashing and I’d found myself retreating to avoid conflict and a whole lot of crazy among my fellow patients. I didn’t have the capacity for either sympathy or support. […]

“You need to put that in the blog” says Superman. “No,” I tell him. “It never happened.” “But it’s hilarious.” I untangle my limbs and flail about as much as I can flail about (paraplegia is a bit restrictive like that). I’m trying to remove the plastic cup from under my arse. It takes a […]

Gin and Tonic never tasted so good. We were sitting in the beer garden of a lovely English country pub, The Battle Axes in Hertfordshire. The sun was beaming down on us when Melissa pointed out the gin and tonic section on the menu. She didn’t need to point twice. She’d busted me out of […]

It started with a Zimmer frame. I’m lying on a plinth in the physio gym, feeling the effects of ten weeks worth of hospital quality sleep. In a very un-Ruthie moment, I’ve mixed up my appointment time. I run through some of my stretches while I wait patiently for nobody and I do what I […]

It came on in the van just as we reversed out of the parking space. Queen gold. Those first few seconds of rhythm last just long enough for me to smile, gear myself up for the pause before I join Freddy in his opening line. ‘I want to break free-he…’ It’s a bittersweet moment. I […]

It might have been the Wonder Woman boots that did it. My sister Kathy and nephew Charlie came to visit me last weekend and pimped my splints to turn them into Wonder Woman boots. I’m sure that somehow contributed to things falling into place for me. When my new Physiotherapist put them on me for […]